Resetting counter



Oct. 16 1923. 1,471,306

H. A. CHASE RESETTING COUNTER Filed Jgne e, y1922 s sheets-snm 1 Oct. 16 1923. 1,471,306

H. A. CHASE RESETTING COUNTER Filed June` 6, 1922 S'Sheetl-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 16, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY A. CHASE, F NEWTON'VILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 IRVING C. DE- CATUR, 0F MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS, AND LEWIS 7.y MUSTARD, JR., OF WELLES- LEY BILLS, MASSACHUSETTS.

RESETTING COUNTER.

Application led June 6,

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, HENRY A. CHASE, a citizen of the United States, `residing at Newtonville, in the county of Middlesex,

State of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Resetting Counters, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates more particularly to resetting counters; in other words, to counters which are constructed and organized to enable the number wheels of a counter to be set back to zero, or other starting l5 point, from time to time. The features of the invention are applicable in lconnection with other counters. also.

The invention comprises, firstly, in combination with the number wheels of a counter, transmission gearing of novel character embodying principles providing in improved manner for resetting. It comprises, second, means for compensating for lagging back, or recoil, of the number wheels, and for ensuring the resetting of all the number wheels at zero, or other predetermined starting point, by a single revolution of the resetting shaft. It comprises, also, a novel general construction.

In accordance with the first part of the invention I employwhat I term flexible transmission gears as elements of the transmission gearing, i. e., the gearing by which, at the culmination of a complete rotation of one of the number Wheels of the series of number wheels comprised in a counter, the next number wheel of the series is advanced one step. The said flexible transmission gears are so constructed, and are so combined with the number wheels and transmission pinions, that when a transmission pinion is actuated through the rotation of the preceding number wheel the said inion acts in a positive manner upon the exible transmission gear with which it meshes, connected withy the succeeding number wheel, and advances the latter. When, however, the parts are actuated for resettin purposes, through the direct application of power to a. number wheel to turn it'around to zero position, the flexible transmission gear that is associated with such number wheel yields axially and its teeth slip by 1922. Serial No. 566,321.

those of the corresponding transmission pinion, thereby enabling such number wheel to. be reset individually, relative to those adjoining it.

In accordance with the second part of the invention, I provide for a special action of the number-wheel supporting shaft, which action is caused to take place when such shaft is turned by hand for resetting purposes, and by it actuation of all the number wheels to place them in zero, or other starting position, by a single revolution of the said shaft is ensured.

The drawings show an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. l is a top view of a counter comprising the said embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a view thereof in horizontal section.

F ig. 3 is a real` view thereof with the housing removed.

Fig. 4 is a view in vertical section in the plane indicated by line 4, 4, in Fig. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows at the ends of such line.

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4, showing the number wheel and parts more immediately associated therewith with the mutilated gear and transmission pinion removed.

'Fig 6 is a view in vertical section in the plane indicated by line 4, 4, in Fig. 2, looking in the direction opposite that indicated by the arrows at the ends of such line.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing a number wheel and the multiple-armed spring associated therewith, with the flexible transmission gear and intermeshing transmission pinion removed.

F ig.8 is a view showing, detached, the said multiple-armed spring that is employed in connection with the flexible transmission gear.

Fig. 9 is a. view in vertical section in the plane indicated by dotted line 9, 9, in Fig. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows at the en ds of such line, and with the pawl-carrier partly broken away so as to show its pawl and the spring which acts upon such pawl.

Fig. 10 is a rear elevation of the axial shaft and the detent collar thereon.

Fig. l1 is a detail view in vertical section .on line 11, l1, Fig. 2.

'Fig 12 is a view in vertical section in the plane indicated by dotted lino 12, 12, in Fig. 2.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the conditions in case one of the number wheels should lag behind or recoil so that its zero will fail to stand in correct zero position.

The drawings show a housing 1, Figs. 1 and 2, having a window closed by a pane 3 of glass or other transparent material, such .window being crossed transversely by bars 4, 4, of a grid concealing the transmission gearing intermediate the number wheels 51, 51, but exposing portions of the peripheries of such wheels to view. The said housing is closed at its opposite ends by end-plates 6, 7, which are held in place by four tie-rods s, 9, 10, and i1.

The number wheelunits are mounted side by side upon an axial supporting shaft 12, as shown best in Fig. 2, which shaft is supported near one end thereof by a bearing in connection with end-plate 6, and at its other end by means of a journal 121 extending from such end and fitted int-o a bearing formed axially within the inner end-portion of a pawl-carrier 13, the latter in turn being supported by means of a journal 131 extending therefrom through a bearing in connection with the other end-plate, 7. The outer portion of the said journal 131 of the pawl-carrier has clamped thereon an actuating arm 14 with which, in practice, is engaged theconnecting device which links the counter with the machine or the like with which the counter is used. By means of the said connecting device the pawl-carrier is oscillated in order to actua-te the primary number wheel 5 of the series through engagement of the pawl 15 carried by said pawl-carrier with ratchet-teeth 16, Fig. 9, with which the said number wheelis provided. Preferably, and as shown best in Figs. 2, 3, and 9, the said ratchet-teeth are formed in an annular series projecting from one side of the primary number wheel 5 and enclosing the body of the pawl-carrier 13. The pawl 15, as shown best in Fig. 9, occupies a recess in the said body, wherein it is pivoted, and is pressed outward by means of a spring 18 into engagement with the enclosing series of ratchet-teeth v16. Engagement of a spring-pressed detent pawl 19 with the external portions of the ratchetteeth 16 holds the primary number wheel from backward movement. Detent 19 is hung pivotally upon tie-rod 8.

The primary number wheel unit, see Figs. 2, 3, 4and 4, comprises the number wheel 5 and a mutilated gear 21 that is mounted upon the extended hub 511 of such wheel and is caused to turn in unison therewith by means of \a pin- 56, Fig. 4, projecting from the number wheel 5 into a hole in the mutilated gear. The said mutilated gear has its toothed portion and its plain cylindrical locking periphery formed as usual for engagement with the teeth of a transmission pinion 22 that is mounted loosely upon the tie-rod 8. The transmission pinions 221, 221, which are employed in connection with the other number wheel units are mounted likewise upon the tie-rod 8.

The second number wheel unit, and each of the succeeding ones of the series, comprises a number wheel 51, a flexible transmission gear 23, Figs. 2, 3 and 6, located at one side of the number wheel, in position Jfor engagement with transmission pinion 22, (or 221,) a controlling spring 24, Figs. 2, 7 and 8, for the said flexible gear, a mutilated gear 21, located at the other side of the number wheel, in position or engagement with the neXt succeeding transmission pinion, 221, of the series, a plain disk 222 being substituted in the case of the last unit, and a central bushing 25, all such parts being connected together to turn in unison, and the bushing being fitted to the axial supporting shaft 12 and turning thereon. The number wheel and the mutilated gear are in tight frictional engagement with the bushing. rl`he flexible transmission gear, as shown in Fig. 2, is mounted loosely upon the bushing at one side of the number wheel, between the controlling spring 24 and a radial flange 251 upon the corresponding end of the bushing.

It is free to tip or tilt universally in differ entI directions to a limited extent but it and the number wheel are caused to turn in unison by means of a pin 513, Figs. 6 and 7, carried by the number wheel 51, projecting through a hole 241 in spring 24 and through a hole 233 in the transmission gear. The opposite end of the same pin projects into a hole in the mutilated gear 21 pertaining to the unit., Aas in the case of pin 56 of the first number wheel unit, and causes the said mutilated gear also to turn in unison with the number wheel 51. Each number wheel 51 has formed in the side thereof at which the spring24 and flexible transmission gear 23 are located a chamber, 512, which is occupied by the said spring, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 7, and into which the said gear is capableof entering. The spring 24 (see Figs. 7 and y8) is formed as a disk or plate having a plurality of laterally bent arms 242, 242, adapted to exert lateral pressure against the transmission gear 23, such pressure tending to keep it in its normal position in enga ment with the radial flange 251 of the ushing. The said arms are spaced apart uniformly around the center of the spring. `The spring ordinarily holds the transmission gear in contact with the radial flange, as in Fig. 2, and thereby keeps the said gea-r in a plane at right angles with the axis of the supporting shaft, and in its normal working position, so that the teeth of the said gear intermesh with those of the corresponding transmission pinion. In or-` der that when the latter is rotated from the preceding number wheel unit the transmission gear shall be actuated positively to turn its associated number wheel, etc., for registering purposes, those faces of the teeth of the transmission gear which receive the impelling pressure of the teeth of the transmission pinion are formed as usual, namely they extend parallel with the axis of the supporting shaft.

For the purposes of the invention, however, the backs 231 of the teeth of the transmission gear are beveled off or madeI oblique transversely, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, So that when, by forward turning movement of a number wheel and its transmission gear relative to a non-turning transmission pinion in a resetting operation, the oblique backs of said transmission gear teeth are carried into contact with teeth of the corresponding transmission pinion, the transmission gear will be deflected laterally, into the chamber of the number Wheel, and the transmission gear teeth will slip out of engagement with the transmission pinion teeth and past the latter. Upon the termination of the turning movement of the number wheel unit the spring will keep the transmission gear pressed laterally in its normal p0- sition again, with its teeth intermeshing with the transmission pinion teeth, as before.

The forward turning movement of the respective number wheel units for resetting purposes is -provided for in this instance in Wellown manner, namely by forming a longitudinal groove 124 in supporting shaft 12, and providing each number wheel unit with a pawl 26, Fig. 5, occupying a chamber 2541 in the number wheel at the side adjoining the associated mutilated gear, and acted upon by a spring 27 which presses its engaging end toward the shaft and causes such end to enter the groove when the latter presents itself in the turning movement of the shaft. 'As heretofore, when the shaft is turned by hand for resetting purposes, b means of power applied to the knurled co lar 28, fast upon one end of the shaft, the pawls 26 of the respective number-wheel units successively enter the groove as the latter is presented to them, and engagement of the rear wall of the groove with the ends of the pawls causes the number wheel units to turn in unison with the shaft. As is Well understood, this action alines corresponding numerals of the different number wheels, and the turning movement is continued until they zeros of"all the units are presented at the window ofthe casing.

The loose fit of the transmission gear upon the bushing, and the plurality of arms with which the` spring 24 is provided, permit the `vthe step by said gear to swing more or less freely and universally into an inclined position in the resetting operation.

I provide detent. devices to indicate that the resetting shaft has been turned to a sufiicient extent for a resetting operation, and

to hold it yieldingly from turning accidentally out of its normal position. These detent devices, in the present instance comprise a collar 292, Figs. 3, 10, and 11 upon shaft 12 and a pivoted dog 29, Figs. 2, 3, and 11, having a. V-shaped engaging portion that is adapted to enter a notch 291 in said collar, said dog spring 30 which passes the detent toward the axis of the shaft. This detent enters the said notch when the latter comes around in the rotation of the shaft and collar. The clic-k which it produces in entering the notch, and the resistance which it offers to further turning movement of the shaft after it has entered into the notch, indicate the fact that the shaft has arrived at the starting position. The detent, however, does not prevent the shaft from being turned more than one revolution, in case such turning is desired. In the latter case, it rides out of the notch and remains bearing by its point against the periphery of the collar until the notch comes around again, when it drops into the notch again.

The collar 292 may be integral with the axial supportin shaft 12 in someI cases, or may befixed rmly thereon. Preferably, however, for the purposes of a feature of invention which remains to be explained, the said collar is mounted upon the said. shaft With a loose turning fit, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 11.

The particular feature of invention last referred to has for its object to ensure the resetting of all of the number wheels of the series comprised in a counter or the like, at zero, or other starting position, by a single revolution of the resetting shaft. This often fails of accomplishment in the case of resetting counters, etc., heretofore known to me, and when such failure occurs a second revolution of the said shaft is necessitated for the completion of the resetting. This is an undesirable and objectionable drawback.

he feature of invention under consideration attains the object just mentioned by compensating for any backward lagging, or recoil, of a number Wheel which has occurred during the step by step advance of such wheel around toward zero position in the regular working of the counter. Lag-ging back, for instance, is permitted by lost. motion or play among the parts through lwhich step turning movement is communicated from one number Wheel unit to the next.

The laggingV back or recoil of a number Wheel While being moved forwardly by the being acted upon by a llU action of the transmission mechanism in the case of an ordinary counter, and the manner in which it interferes with the resetting of such wheel, are indicated in Fig. 13.

Fig. 13 illustrates what occurs in resetting counters constructed as heretofore, in case the second or subsequent number wheel lags or recoils in the manner referred to. In such figure, an axial resetting shaft 129 is shown in its normal resting position. In case the advancing movement of the number wheel should be accomplished without any lagging back or recoil, the engaging end of the pawl 269 of such number wheel would be carried around such movement far enough to enter the longitudinal groove 128 in the shaft 129, and at the end of a revolution of the wheel would occupy such groove as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 13. Consequently, if the shaft should be tui-ned in the direction indicated by the arrow near it, for the purpose of resetting the series of wheels, the back wall of the groove (the upper wall in Fig 13,) would engage at the beginning of the turning movement with the end of the pawl and cause the particular wheel under consideration to turn in unison with the shaft until the wheel and shaft completed the resetting revolution and the detent corresponding with that shown at 29 in the other views of the drawings reentered the notch in the periphery of the collar upon the resetting shaft.

It will be borne in mind that in the case of those number wheels which are not in zero position at the beginning of a resetting revolution of the shaft 12, but have been iven by the counting or registering operations positions more or less advanced beyond such position at such time, their pawls 26 will drop successively into groove 124 as it comes around to them, thereby lining up the zeros of all the number wheels whose pawls enter the groove, so that when the shaft comes to a stand-still at the end of a revolution all of such wheels will come to rest in zero position.

In case a wheelshould lag behind or recoil so that at the end of one cycle of step by step advances its zero, instead of being presented exactly at the starting position, is near but still somewhat back therefrom, the engaging end of its pawl 269, instead of' occupying the groove 128 in the shaft 129 as in dotted lines, will remain resting upon the periphery of the shaft adjacent the groove, at the rear of the latter, as indicated in full lines in 13. Consequently, when shaft 129 is revolved for resetting puroses, thel shaft will turn relative to the pawl 269 without engagement of the back wall of the groove with the pawl to car this particular number wheel around with the shaft. .Hence, the said wheel will be left standing still, while the pawls of all the other number wheels not already standing at zero will be engaged and the latter wheels will be carried around for the purpose of being reset. As zero position is reached, the number wheel unit next preceding the wheel 519 shown in Fig. 13 will act through the transmission gearing between such unit and Wheel 519 to advance the latter. As a result, as the other wheels take zero position this particular wheel shown in Fig. 13 will be advanced one step from zero position. This will make necessary a second revolution of shaft 129 for the purpose of giving such wheel zero position.

The devices shown in Figs. 2, 10, 11, and 12, compensate for any lagging back or recoil of a number-wheel unit, such as just explained, and render unnecessary more than one revolution of the resetting shaft, by operating in the following manner While detent,29 is engaged in notch 291 of collar 292 and holds such collar from turning, the spring 295 normally keeps the shaft 12 turned into a position in which, as in Fig. 11, its radial pin 293 is in contact with rear end wall 297 of the slot or kerf 294 in collar 292. This locates the groove 124 of the shaft 12 a little above, as in Fig. 12, that is to say a little rearward, of the normal position of the engaging ends of the pawls 26 of the number wheels which occupy zero positions. Consequently, even if a number wheel is permittedl to lag behind or recoil in the course of a revolution communicated to it by the transmission mechanism between it and the next preceding number-Wheel unit, the first portion of the forward turning movement of shaft 12 will present the groove 124 in position to receive the engaglng end of the pawl 26 of the said number wheel. Hence when the shaft 12 is turned by hand, the pawl will enter the groove and the back wall of the groove will act against the said engaging end to cause such number wheel to turn with the shaft, thereby ensuring that it, as well as the others occupying their normal positions, shall be reset by a single resetting revolution of the shaft.

When the detent 29 reenters notch 291 in collar 292 as the resetting revolution of shaft 12 is being completed, the detent will arrest the turning movement of the collar, but inasmuch as spring 295 is a light one it will yield before the operator ceases to exert powerto turn the shaft. Hence the shaft turns somewhat within the collar, thereby carrying the radial pin away from end-wall 297 of the slot or kerf 294 in the collar 292, and in Jdoing so completes. tho resetting of the number wheels. When the operator loosens his grasp upon the knurled collar 28, the reaction of spring 295 turns the shaft 12 reversely until radial pin 293 strikes against said endwall 297. This recoil of the shaft places its groove 124 again in a retrograde position relative to the normal positions of the engaging ends of the number-Wheel pawlsy 26, 26, which ensures entrance of said paWls into the said groove for the next resetting operation, notwithstanding the lagging back or recoil of the number wheels to. which reference has been made.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the features of the invention are applicable to other forms of counters, registers, and the like, in which the gear connections by means of which the number or other indlcator Wheels are actuated are different in character and type from the transmission gearing shown and described herein.

l/Vhat is claimed as the invention is,-

l. In combination, number Wheels, transmission gearing for transmitting movement. from one thereof to the next in sequence, and resetting means, the said gearing including axially flexible gears, said number wheels and axially flexible gears rotating in uni-- son, and said gears serving in the actuation of the wheels for counting or registering purposes but slipping axially out of .mesh with the driving gears when the num ber wheels are moved by the resetting means for resetting purposes, so as to permit individual resetting rotation of. the Wheels.

2. A counter or register comprising number Wheels, means for advancing the same to register, and means for resetting them a starting point, and including 1n said Wheel-advancing means axially llex1ble gears throughfwhich the actuating gears thereof positively advance the Wheels, but which yield axially and slip past the teeth of said actuating gears in turning when the number Wheels are moved by the resetting means for resetting purposes.

3. The combination with number wheels, and resetting means, of transmission gearing for actuatin the said Wheels to register, including exible transmissionv gears through which the transmission pinions act positively to advance the number Wheels, constructed to yield axially so that their teeth shall slip idly past those of the said pinions when actuated directlyl by the resetting means for resetting purposes.

4. A counter comprising number wheels, resetting means therefoiy'transmission pinions, axially lflexible transmission gears connected With the respective number wheels and through which the said pinions transmit turning movement to the number Wheels, and having the teeth thereof constructed to deflect out of driving engagement with said pinions when the number Wheels are advanced by the resetting means to reset them in starting position.

5. A counter' comprising number Wheels, an axial supporting shaft therefor, said Wheels and shaft having cooperating means for resetting the Wheels, transmission pin ions, flexible transmission gears concentric with said shaft and connected With the respective number wheels, through which the said pinions transmit turning movement to the number wheels, and having the teeth thereof constructed to deflect out of driving engagement with said pinions When the number Wheels are advanced by the resetting means to reset them in starting position.

6. A counter comprising number Wheels, an axial supporting shaft therefor, said Wheels and shaft having cooperating means lfor resetting the Wheels, transmission pinions, transmission tric With the shaft, flexibly combined With the Wheels, and adapted to deflect laterallyy out of mesh with the said pinions when the number wheels are moved by the resetting means, and springs intermediate the Wheels and transmission gears by which the latter are held normally in Working relations With the transmitting pinions.

7 A counter comprising laterally chambered number wheels, an axial supporting shaft therefor, said Wheels and shaft havin@ means cooperating transmission pinions, transmission gears mounted concentric with the shaft, flexibly combined with the Wheels, and adapted to deflect laterally out of mesh With the said transmitting pinions when the number wheels are moved by the resetting means, and springs occupying the chambers of the Wheels whereby the transmission gearsaie held normally in Working relations with the transmitting pinions.

A counter comprising an axial supporting and resetting shaft, number Wheel units mounted thereon side by side, each comprising a number Wheel, a transmission gear at one side of said number Wheel, a mutilated gear at the other side thereof, and a bushing fitting said shaft and on Which the said Wheels and gear are mounted, and external transmission pinions actuated and controlled by said mutilated gears and inturn actu ating the transmission gears and the Wheels of successive units.

9. A counter comprising an axial supporting shaft, number Wheel units mounted thereon side by side, each unit comprising a chambered number Wheel, an axially flexible transmission gear of the Wheel, a spring occupying the Wheelchamber and normally keeping the said gear pressed laterally into working relatiors with the cooperating transmission pinion, a mutilated gear at the Wheel, and external transmission pinions actuated and controlled gears mounted concen' for resetting the wheels,

other side of the.

by the mutilated at the chambered sidegears and in turn actuating the transmission gears and wheels of thsucessive units, and resettin meansl com ine With said shaft and wlieels, Said transmission gears. HENRY A' CHASE' adapted to deect laterally out of mesh Witnesses:

with the said transmitting pinions when the Guns. F. RANDALL,

number Wheels are moved in resetting them. ELLEN O. SPRING.

In testimony whereof I affix my signaturel 1n presence of two Witnesses. 

